Exercise: it's all about intensity

I'm trying to make workouts one of my main foci, putting it ahead of virtually every thing else except work. I'm having some challenges with that, so a post about it might motivate me.

I'm wanting to get into an intense routine, largely motivated by an article entitled "Staying a Step Ahead of Aging". Very thought provoking. Some motivating stories about 60 & 70 yr olds there.

The key in that story: it's all about intensity. Work out less often if needed, but when you workout, make it intense.

Admittedly, that story focuses more on runners, but I think it applies in general. (I'm not a runner; some sprinting, but no distance. Hey, what are bikes for? I'd rather do an 8 mile ride than a 2 mile run.)

I'm also trying not to be a slave to traditional approaches. I've got dumbbells, an incline bench, pull up bar, dip bars, jump rope & of course, my bicycle. But I'm looking for stuff to do spontaneously even when I'm away.

I've found two programs that I'm trying to incorporate into my exercise program & life.

One is Ross Enamait's Infinite Intensity. Ross may be a bit gung-ho for some readers, & I'd like to see a bit more organization in his books, but his programs are really good, no-nonsense, intense, extremely diverse, & don't require a lot of equipment. He also answers questions sent via email, responding quickly & with good information.

The other program is the 24-hr ghetto workout. I've been both impressed & motivated by that group. The guy in that film near the end that does the "horizontal pull-ups" is astounding. ("Don't try this at home! You will rip out all your shit!")

The basic idea of both Enamait's program & 24-hr ghetto fitness: you don't need a gym with expensive equipment. Use whatever you've got where ever it is: body weight exercises; gym equipment at the park; dips on car bumpers; pull-ups on walk signs at intersections. Just get it done.

Here are two more films by the ghetto workout people.
These guys are ... impressive.

• Free-styling on the pull (up) bar

• Free-styling on the dip bars

I'm trying to workout several times per day, now, instead of just one long workout session, intersperse it with work. Work a while, then exercise a while, etc. Breaks the day up.

I'm also considering scheduling an exercise class here that would involve movement & music, some lectures about the biology of fitness & health ... how muscles, hearts & lungs work, what health is, etc.

OK, I'm going to work out, now.

Honest ... right after coffee & a pastry ...